iPad Pro Smart Keyboard letters wearing off after four months

[marmiteturkey]

Just as the title says, really. Bought a Smart Keyboard for the 12.9in iPad from John Lewis in January; with fairly moderate use the printed letters are wearing off the key caps.

I don't think this should happen; I can find a little evidence that this has happened to others but nothing on the forums. Am I right to expect Apple to make this right; and have others experienced this?

 

[heyyitssusan]

It doesn't hurt to call apple and see if they'll replace it for you. You're still under warranty. Never know if you don't try.

 

[artfossil]

That's a defect. Contact Apple.

 

[Mr.C]

It's still under warranty. Apple's manufacturers warranty is one year plus because you bought it from John Lewis they give a two year warranty on it. One or the other should replace the keyboard for you as that doesn't seem normal. If one isn't willing to exchange it then try the other.

 

[GDF]

Under warranty, just get it replaced. Apple has great warranty service.

Just as the title says, really. Bought a Smart Keyboard for the 12.9in iPad from John Lewis in January; with fairly moderate use the printed letters are wearing off the key caps.

I don't think this should happen; I can find a little evidence that this has happened to others but nothing on the forums. Am I right to expect Apple to make this right; and have others experienced this?

 

[marmiteturkey]

Thanks all. I have good experience with Apple's warranty - good to hear that there's widespread agreement that a keyboard should not wear like this in four months. Cheers.

 

[merrazu]

I have the same problem with mine. Going to try and take it to the Apple Store and see what they say.

 

[frankdogg]

Mind uploading some pics? I'd like to know what to look for on my keyboard as I continue to use it more and more.

 

[merrazu]

The A and S are wearing out

 

[frankdogg]

Thanks!

 

[ibookg409]

The A and S are wearing out

In another 6 months the keys will be completely worn off.

 

[flyinmac]

They might replace it. But it's an Apple product. Naturally it just needed a protective film lol.

My experience with Apple is that they'll call this a cosmetic issue and therefore not covered by warranty.

Hopefully they'll replace it for you.

 

[richpjr]

Wow, that sucks. If they won't replace, would something like a white sharpie work?

 

[Arran]

The A and S are wearing out

That's a manufacturing defect. Looks like localized surface contamination before the graphics were printed.

Alternatively, do you type a lot of words with A and S? Like a real lot?

I'm checking mine now. Never thought I'd do this. I used to laugh at the, "Eeek! I found a bad pixel!!", crowd and here I am checking my QWERTYs
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...Naturally it just needed a protective film lol....

This might actually be true for once!

 

[Eric5273]

I noticed last week that my "N" is starting to wear out. I've only had my keyboard for a month now. I took a quick look at my old MacBook keyboard -- yup, N also worn out on that one. For some odd reason, that's the only letter that seems to wear out on my keyboards. Not sure why that letter and not others, but must have something to do with the way I type.

I guess that answers my question as to whether the letters are sown into the fabric or just printed on top.

 

[ibookg409]

I noticed last week that my "N" is starting to wear out. I've only had my keyboard for a month now. I took a quick look at my old MacBook keyboard -- yup, N also worn out on that one. For some odd reason, that's the only letter that seems to wear out on my keyboards. Not sure why that letter and not others, but must have something to do with the way I type.

I guess that answers my question as to whether the letters are sown into the fabric or just printed on top.

You probably pick your nose with your right index finger and use that finger to hit the 'N'. Your nose picker is always your dirtiest finger.

 

[Arran]

From this nice visualization, if I'm understanding it correctly, it looks like A and E should be among the first to wear out.

https://www.patrick-wied.at/projects/heatmap-keyboard/

 

[marmiteturkey]

It's the A and the S that are wearing off on mine too. Went into the Apple Store today - they are replacing it, but not with a new keyboard - they've called it a 'service replacement part' or similar and it's on order for me to collect at the end of the week. I suspect it'll be a new (or somehow refurb) keyboard, in a brown box. They've not taken my keyboard off me while I wait, so they're not repairing it.

To the naysayers, there was no issue - and there is a repair code that the genius entered which was explicitly labeled 'key caps wearing off' or similar.

As an aside, I didn't buy my keyboard from Apple directly; because they weren't in stock in early Jan. They suggested if I took it back to the shop where I purchased it, I could get a replacement without a fuss.

 

[Mr.C]

It's the A and the S that are wearing off on mine too. Went into the Apple Store today - they are replacing it, but not with a new keyboard - they've called it a 'service replacement part' or similar and it's on order for me to collect at the end of the week. I suspect it'll be a new (or somehow refurb) keyboard, in a brown box. They've not taken my keyboard off me while I wait, so they're not repairing it.

To the naysayers, there was no issue - and there is a repair code that the genius entered which was explicitly labeled 'key caps wearing off' or similar.

As an aside, I didn't buy my keyboard from Apple directly; because they weren't in stock in early Jan. They suggested if I took it back to the shop where I purchased it, I could get a replacement without a fuss.

I figure as I bought mine from John Lewis ( I had an order with Apple but it was back ordered and JL got them in stock in the mean time ) and they offer a two year guarantee if anything happens to mine I'll just take it there hopefully for a straight replacement.

 

[jamesrick80]

Even if it does wear off, you should know where the keys are if you ever took a computer typing or keyboard class. This day and age...who hasn't memorized the keys of a native keyboard.

 

[Mr.C]

Even if it does wear off, you should know where the keys are if you ever took a computer typing or keyboard class. This day and age...who hasn't memorized the keys of a native keyboard.

I don't think that's the point. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect this not to happen in the first place. If it happens to my keyboard I will be well annoyed and will be seeking a replacement. Personally I don't think that is too much to expect and ask.

 

[marmiteturkey]

Even if it does wear off, you should know where the keys are if you ever took a computer typing or keyboard class. This day and age...who hasn't memorized the keys of a native keyboard.

Entirely not the point.

Yes, I touch type, for the most part. But I would rather have a keyboard with the letters on it than one without. On top of which, a 3-month old keyboard that is wearing so fast it looks like one that is two years old isn't up to scratch.


Picked up a replacement from Apple yesterday - exactly the same as a retail one, just in a plain white box, as expected.
[doublepost=1463127409][/doublepost]

I noticed last week that my "N" is starting to wear out. I've only had my keyboard for a month now. I took a quick look at my old MacBook keyboard -- yup, N also worn out on that one. For some odd reason, that's the only letter that seems to wear out on my keyboards. Not sure why that letter and not others, but must have something to do with the way I type.

I guess that answers my question as to whether the letters are sown into the fabric or just printed on top.

Do you type the word 'bananas' a lot?

 

[Eric5273]

Well I now have my keyboard for 4 months, and many of the keys are starting to wear off, and the L and N keys are COMPLETELY worn off. Unlike many here, I now use my iPad Pro as my main computer, and so I'm on it for a couple of hours per day at least. It seems that maybe this keyboard was not meant to be more than an occasional use item.

I'm going to bring it into the store and see what they say. I fear if they offer me a replacement, the same thing will happen to the replacement in a couple of months. I'm wondering if they will give me a store credit. I'm thinking maybe I should try out the Logitech version. That appears to have regular keys like the MacBook.

Originally I did not like the Logitech version because the iPad is not easily removable from the case. However, over the past 4 months I've kind of settled into a routine where I almost never use my iPad Pro without the keyboard. It has basically become my MacBook replacement. So I'm not sure if not being able to remove it easily from the case would be an issue for me.

 

[sracer]

That's interesting. I bought my IPP and ASK 6 months ago and use it heavily (hours a day) nearly every day (as it has replaced my MBA and iPad Air 2). No signs of any wear whatsoever.

Could it depend upon how one types?

I'm a touch-typist that is accustomed to keys like those on this keyboard (as opposed to mechanical keyboards) so I don't pound the keys.

Or maybe nothing more mysterious than a manufacturing defect.

 

[Eric5273]

I hope it's just a manufacturing defect. It looks like it will be replaced with another one. I have an appointment at the Genius Bar tomorrow afternoon.